interview · ralph fletcher · writing

Guy-Write: Chatting About Male Writers with Ralph Fletcher

Anyone who has ever read Ralph Fletcher's books for young writers (e.g., A Writer's Notebook, How Writers Work, Live Writing), will find his newest book, Guy-Write: What Every Gut Writer Needs to Know (Holt), to be a welcome addition to a classroom's writing center. Fletcher writes this book for boys who love to write who… Continue reading Guy-Write: Chatting About Male Writers with Ralph Fletcher

minilesson · reading

Pop Culture References Make Minilesson Connections Come Alive

Maggie Beattie Roberts, my section leader for "Tap the Power of Technology and Media to Teach Higher Level Comprehension," suggested using pop culture references as one way to engage students in minilessons.  (Pop culture references can come from TV, movies, music, video games, fashion, celebrity culture, etc.)  Our "homework," as part of the Reading Institute,… Continue reading Pop Culture References Make Minilesson Connections Come Alive

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers' writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Please come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

professional development · reading · tcrwp

Reading Institute

I will be attending the Teachers College Summer Reading Institute this week. While this will be my ninth summer institute, it's only going to be my third time attending their Reading Institute. Since I'm a NY State certified literacy specialist, which encompasses reading and writing, I decided it was time to pay more attention to… Continue reading Reading Institute

giveaway · mentor texts · picture book · primary grades · writing

An Interview with Tad Hills + a Book Giveaway

Tad Hills's new book, Rocket Writes a Story, is as touching and well-written as the first Rocket book, Rocket Learned to Read.  This book is sure to become a mentor text in primary writing workshops since Rocket has trouble generating ideas for writing and moving through the writing process.  I am quite sure that the tale… Continue reading An Interview with Tad Hills + a Book Giveaway

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers' writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice of Life Story Challenge

The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge

blogging · summer vacation

Taking Some Time Off

Summer means a slower pace. Summer means longer days to spend with family and friends. Summer means more extra time to fall into a good book and write about the world around us. As educators, summer rarely means time off.  Ruth and I spent the first couple weeks of summer busy.  She was speaking at… Continue reading Taking Some Time Off

blogging · parent involvement · Read Aloud · reading

Raising a Literate Human

I promised myself I would share the new blog I've been working on once I reached 20 posts.  That promise was made in late February.  Life got pretty busy between February and June.  Therefore, I just reached my 20 post milestone last night.  Hence, here I am, proud to announce an additional address I have… Continue reading Raising a Literate Human

blogging · independent writing projects · tcrwp · Teachers College · writer's notebook

Blogs & Microblogs in the Classroom

"The act of telling your story and sharing part of your life with somebody is alive and well—even more so than at the dawn of blogging.” --Lee Rainie, director of the Internet and American Life Project This is my final post about the Saturday Reunion I attended back in March at TC.  I'm slightly ashamed… Continue reading Blogs & Microblogs in the Classroom